If you live in South Carolina and find yourself in an unfortunate situation with bats in your home; there are a few things you should know. 

Often when people find a bat in their house, they try to get rid of them themselves. Which can sometimes be successful, but there are also more risks involved in doing it yourself. Calling a wildlife removal specialist is the best option to remove this animal from your home.

 There are 14 different species of bats in our area, including; Big brown bat, Brazilian free-tailed bat, Eastern red bat, Eastern small-footed bat, Evening bat, Hoary bat, Little brown bat, Northern long-eared bat, Northern yellow bat, Silver-haired bat, and the Tricolored bat. Finding one in your home may seem like the end of the world, but remember, they are not all bad. Bats are an integral part of our ecosystem. Because bats eat bugs, they suppress nocturnal insect populations, including crop and forest pests in the state. As a result, bats save South Carolina’s agricultural industry over $115 million yearly in pest suppression services. 

Killing Bats is Illegal in South Carolina 

The first thing you should know when dealing with bats is that it is illegal to kill or harm any species in South Carolina. Bats are endangered animals that are protected by state law. It’s recommended to contact a wildlife removal company to safely and effectively remove the bat from your house. It’s also recommended that you get a pest control company to spray the room where the bat was in for any possible bugs or parasites that may be left behind.  

Bat Diseases and Health Risks

Bats can often carry parasites or other bacteria that lead to unhealthy scenarios for humans. One of the most common concerns is the fear of rabies. Although bats rarely carry rabies, if you have been bitten or scratched by a bat you should seek medical attention immediately. It’s been reported that at least 30,000 people receive a rabies shot every year for encountering a wild animal. Whether a bat bites you or not, you should still receive one. Rabies can be transferred in other ways than just getting bitten. For example, you can get rabies from their saliva if it comes in contact with your eyes, mouth, or wound.

 Histoplasmosis is another common disease humans can encounter with bats. This disease is a fungus that grows in soil and often bats droppings. This fungus often appears if bats have been inhabiting your house for long periods of time, giving it time to grow and spread. The wildlife removal company should clean up this mess in your home and disinfect the area. 

Bat Exclusion

This is the best and most common way to remove any bats from your home. This method should be done by a professional wildlife removal specialist. Wildlife professionals simply create an exit hole for the bats when they leave at night to feed, the netting is such that they will not be able to regain access to the roost in your attic. It is not advised to remove bats from your home during their nesting months in the summer as their young (pups) will be left to starve without the reentry of their mother.  

Pest Control Company in South Carolina

Hilton Head Exterminators is always happy to help and give you the best care. Give us a call at our Hilton Head office, 843-632-5049, or our Bluffton location, 843-627-2509. We’ve been serving our communities since 1968 and look forward to helping you.